If you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, you may not have gone through all the planning stages. You may not have a strong understanding of your wishes for the future, but you may already know that you want your baby to be born healthy. As a result, you might be looking for more information about screening tests you can perform.

If this is your first child, you might be afraid of tests. Many people feel apprehensive about screening tests, especially because they can feel so technical. You need to understand the prenatal medical care available, but it can seem intimidating to talk to your doctor. The more you learn about screening tests, the more confident you can become in pursuing these tests.

Ultrasounds

The ultrasound is one of the most common screening tests available, and you may have seen one performed on TV or in movies. Ultrasounds are relatively safe and provide a good way to check on the health of the baby and mother. The doctor can also determine the health of the placenta. Ultrasounds can also provide insight into the sex of your child as well as information about his or her muscular-skeletal system.

Amniocentesis & CVS

Amniocentesis, which is associated with chorionic villus sampling (CVS), is a test that doctors can perform to determine if your baby has certain disorders. These tests are often used to look for disorders like Down's Syndrome. This is also a more accurate way to determine your baby's sex.

These tests are performed differently than an ultrasound, and they may be uncomfortable at times. The CVS is performed by taking cells from the placenta, and the amniocentesis is performed by removing amniotic fluid with a needle. These tests are somewhat uncomfortable.

What Should You Do?

These tests are important for any expectant mother. If your pregnancy is unplanned, you certainly have many questions. How can you get through some of the stress? A lot of pregnant women find that having the answers to these questions is a good way to relieve some of the pressure that comes with finding out you are pregnant.

If you are considering adoption for your child, you might have considered that many adoptive parents may ask a birth mother to have these tests performed. They may want to know more about the baby that you are expecting. Of course, it is always up to you if you want to undergo this kind of testing.

To learn more about pregnancy testing for mothers with unplanned pregnancies, contact a company offering unplanned pregnancy resources in your area.